The Isfahan governor has confirmed the disqualification of Minoo
Khaleghi, the third candidate elected from Isfahan in the parliamentary election
of February 26. He also reported that the candidate has filed an appeal of the
decision.

Rasoul Zargarpour said on Wednesday March 23 that the other four top candidates
have been confirmed by the Guardian Council and will represent Isfahan in the
next Parliament.

The candidate ranked as the third-highest winner of votes in Isfahan is Minoo
Khaleghi, a female candidate endorsed by the reformist camp. Yesterday it was
announced that she has been disqualified by the Guardian Council.

Minoo Khaleghi

Zargarpour said on March 19 he received the disqualification letter for
Khaleghi issued by the Guardian Council and has already informed the president
and called for an explanation regarding this matter.

He added that Khaleghi is currently appealing the matter, and if she does not
succeed in her appeal, the sixth person to win the highest votes in Isfahan will
go on to take her place in Parliament.

Following the elections, the confirmed victory of 14 women and the potential
addition of another six in the second round was marked as a relative victory for
women in politics. The disqualification of Khaleghi raises a shadow of doubt
over that perception.

Some unofficial reports have indicated that the Guardian Council based its
decision to disqualify on Khaleghi's alleged "failure to abide by the Islamic
rules on trips abroad." The council has not yet offered a formal reason for its
decision.